Oral irrigator with variable output fluid characteristics

ABSTRACT

An oral irrigator including a reservoir, a tip in fluid communication with the reservoir, a pump in fluid communication with the tip and the reservoir, where the motor drives the pump. The oral irrigator also includes a control module electrically coupled to the motor to vary an output of the motor. During a normal mode, the control module drives the motor to output a normal pulse rate, a normal flow rate, and a normal fluid pressure as the fluid exits the tip and during a massage mode, the control module drives the motor to output a massage pulse rate, a massage flow rate, and a massage fluid pressure as the fluid exits the tip. The massage pulse rate is lower than the normal pulse rate, the massage fluid pressure is lower than the normal fluid pressure, and the massage fluid pressure is lower than the normal fluid pressure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. Pat. No.9,642,677 entitled “Oral Irrigator with Massage Mode,” filed on Mar. 14,2013 and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to health and personal hygiene equipmentand methods of controlling such equipment. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to oral irrigators and methods of controllingsuch equipment.

BACKGROUND

Oral irrigators typically are used to clean a user's teeth and gums bydischarging a pressurized fluid stream into a user's oral cavity. Thefluid impacts the teeth and gums to remove debris. Often, some users mayprefer one pressure level whereas others may prefer another pressure.However, typically, the pressure level may be determined bycharacteristics of the pump and motor and may not be variable betweenusers. For example, certain flow characteristics, such as pressure, aredetermined by a mechanical valve, cavity or fluid passage size, or thelike, which may not be altered based on particular user preferences andmay be complicated to manufacture.

SUMMARY

One example may take the form of a handheld oral irrigator generalincludes an irrigating device, such as an oral irrigator or a nasalirrigator. The irrigating device includes a pump and a motor connectedto the pump and configured to selectively drive the pump. Additionally,the irrigating device includes a massage module in communication withthe motor. During a normal mode, the pump has a first pulse rate andduring a massage mode, the massage module provides a massage controlsignal to the motor, causing the pump to have a second pulse rate.

Another example may take the form of a method for varying a pulse ratefor an oral cleaning device. The method includes activating a motorconnected to pump; determining by a processing element whether a massagemode should be activated; if the massage mode is activated, providing amassage signal to the motor, causing a massage pulse rate output by thepump; and if the massage mode is not activated, providing a normalsignal to the motor, causing a normal pulse rate output by the pump.

Yet another example may take the form of an oral irrigator. The oralirrigator includes a reservoir defining a fluid cavity, a pump in fluidcommunication with the fluid cavity, and a motor connected to the pumpand configured to selectively activate the pump. The oral irrigator mayalso include a handle in fluid communication with the pump and a signalgenerator in communication with the motor and configured to selectivelyvary a control signal provided to the motor to vary one or more outputcharacteristics of the motor.

In another example, an oral irrigator including a reservoir, a tip influid communication with the reservoir, a pump in fluid communicationwith the tip and the reservoir, where the motor drives the pump isdisclosed. The oral irrigator also includes a control moduleelectrically coupled to the motor to vary an output of the motor. Duringa normal mode, the control module drives the motor to output a normalpulse rate, a normal flow rate, and a normal fluid pressure as the fluidexits the tip and during a massage mode, the control module drives themotor to output a massage pulse rate, a massage flow rate, and a massagefluid pressure as the fluid exits the tip. The massage pulse rate islower than the normal pulse rate, the massage fluid pressure is lowerthan the normal fluid pressure, and the massage fluid pressure is lowerthan the normal fluid pressure.

In yet another example, an oral irrigation device including a fluidreservoir; a reciprocating pump in fluid communication with the fluidreservoir; a tip in fluid communication with the pump; a motor operablyconnected to the pump, wherein the motor drives the pump to pump fluidfrom the fluid reservoir to the tip; a mechanically adjustable valvethat varies one or more fluid path characteristics of a flow pathbetween the reservoir and the tip to change an outlet fluid pressure offluid exiting the tip; and a processing element in electricalcommunication with the motor. The processing element varies performs thefollowing operations: responsive to receiving a first user input, theprocessing element varies a voltage applied to the motor to vary a fluidoutput pressure of the fluid exiting the tip; and responsive toreceiving a second user input, the processing element varies a frequencyapplied to the motor to vary a fluid pulse rate of the fluid exiting thetip.

While multiple examples are disclosed, still other examples of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative examples of the invention. As will be realized, theinvention is capable of modifications in various aspects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an oral irrigator including amassage module.

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the oral irrigator of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a second example of an oralirrigator including a massage mode.

FIG. 3A is cross-section view of the oral irrigator taken along line3A-3A in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3B is a cross-section view of the oral irrigator taken along line3B-3B in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the oral irrigator with selectcomponents hidden for clarity.

FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the oral irrigator with selectcomponents hidden for clarity.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of the electrical components of theoral irrigator.

FIG. 6 is a simplified circuit diagram of the massage module.

FIG. 7A is a first example of an illustrative circuit schematic for animplementation of the electrical components of the oral irrigator.

FIG. 7B is a second example of an illustrative circuit schematic for animplementation of the electrical components of the oral irrigator.

FIG. 7C is a third example of an illustrative circuit schematic for animplementation of the electrical components of the oral irrigator.

FIG. 7D is an example of a switch control board for the oral irrigator.

FIG. 8A is diagram of a first control signal produced by the massagemodule.

FIG. 8B is a diagram of a second control signal produced by the massagemodule.

FIG. 8C is a diagram of a third control signal produced by the massagemodule.

FIG. 9A is a chart illustrating an example of pressure ranges for theoral irrigator during clean mode.

FIG. 9B is a chart illustrating an example of pressure ranges for theoral irrigator during massage mode.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for operating the oralirrigator including the massage module.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for dynamically adjustingthe pressure and pulse rate of the oral irrigator using the massagemodule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some examples of the present disclosure include an irrigating device,such as an oral irrigator, having a massage module. The massage modulemay be configured to vary one or more characteristics of a fluid streamto create a fluid flow that may massage a user's gums, as well asenhance user's comfort as the user cleans his or her teeth or gums. Theoral irrigator may include a motor and a pump connected to andcontrolled by the motor. The pump is fluidly connected to a fluid supplyand pumps fluid from the supply to an outlet (such as a tip). Themassage module may also be in communication with the motor and mayprovide one or more control signals to the motor to vary one or morecharacteristics of the motor, such as speed, power, or torque. Becausethe motor is connected to the pump, as the massage module varies thespeed or other characteristic of the motor, the output characteristicsof the pump may be correspondingly varied. The output characteristics ofthe pump may be varied based on a fluid flow that may “massage” a user'sgums, such as a pulsed output where the fluid pulses (the flowintermittently turns on an off). In another example, the massage modulemay vary the outlet fluid pressure of the oral irrigator during massagemode, e.g., may reduce the outlet pressure as compared to clean mode. Inthis example, the fluid pulse rate may remain substantially the same inboth clean mode and massage mode or may also be varied along with thepressure.

In some examples, the oral irrigator may include a cleaning or normalmode and a massage mode. During the cleaning mode, the oral irrigatormay include a relatively steady fluid flow or may include a fluid flowhaving a slight pulse (e.g., due to a mechanical characteristics of thepump). During the massage mode, the massage module may vary the fluidpulsing length and/or pressure. For example, the massage module may varya control signal to selectively vary the power level provided the motor.In a specific implementation, the power may be selectively activated anddeactivated, which may cause the motor to produce intermittent motionresulting in varying the output of the pump. The pump may be selectivelyactivated to create a pulsating fluid flow through the oral irrigatoroutlet (e.g., the tip).

In one example, the pulses created by the massage module may be longerfluid pulse or breaks in the fluid stream as compared to the normaloperation. The increase in pulse length causes the fluid stream tomassage a user's gums, enhancing blood flow and providing an enjoyableexperience to the user. This is because the pulses may be timed withrecovery the gum tissues (e.g., timed to allow blood to flow back intothe tissue between each fluid pulse), and provides therapeutic benefitsto the gums.

The massage mode may vary one or more characteristics of the controlsignal based on user input. For example, the user may select the massagemode and may then vary the frequency, magnitude, or shape of the controlsignal, such as changing the shape of a voltage waveform or itsfrequency. In other examples, the massage mode may apply a predeterminedsignal to the motor. For example, a control signal may be determined forthe massage mode and when the massage mode is activated by the user, thestored signal may be applied. In these examples, the oral irrigator mayinclude a plurality of control signals that may correlate to differentmassage modes. In yet other examples, the oral irrigator may includestored signals that may be selected by a user for a predeterminedpulsing effect, as well as may vary one or more signals to allow theuser to dynamically variable the pulsing effect.

In addition to providing a massage mode, the massage module or anotherprocessing element of the oral irrigator may vary one or more outputcharacteristics of the oral irrigator to provide feedback to a user. Asa first example, the massage mode may be activated automatically one ormore times during normal mode to indicate to a user to move to adifferent tooth or portion of the mount. As a second example, themassage mode may be activated after a predetermined time period in orderto alert the user that a cleaning time (which may be set by the user orbe preselected) has expired. As a third example, the massage mode may beactivated automatically every time period, e.g., every 30 seconds themassage mode may be activated to provide a massaging feel interspersedwith cleaning.

In other examples, the massage module may be used with other irrigatingdevices. For example, the massage mode may be implemented in a nasalirrigator and may vary the fluid flow rate and pressure to massage theuser's nasal tissues. In these examples, the pulse rate and controlsignal may be varied as compared to the oral irrigator, but may stillprovide a massaging effect.

In yet other examples, the massage module may be used with other oralinstruments to provide a massaging effect and/or to enhance cleaning.For example, the massage module may be incorporated into an electricallydriven toothbrush. In this example, the massage module may vary themotor speed or power to vary vibrations or bristle movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the figures, the oral irrigator will be discussedin more detail. FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an oral irrigatorincluding a massage mode. FIG. 1B is a FIG. 2 is a rear perspective viewof the oral irrigator of FIG. 1A. With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, theoral irrigator 100 may include a base 102, a reservoir 104, and a handle108. The base 102 may provide support for the reservoir 104 and thehandle 108, as well as house many of the drive and power assemblycomponents of the oral irrigator 100. For example, the base 102 mayhouse a pump, control circuitry, and/or motor, which will be discussedin more detail below.

The base 102 may include a bottom support 128 and a cover 130. Thebottom support 128 may provide support for one or more of the internalcomponents of the oral irrigator 100 and the cover 102 may cover thosecomponents to conceal them, as well as provide protection for thosecomponents. The base 102 may include a plurality of feet 132 a, 132 b,132 c, and 132 d to support the base 102 on a surface, such as acountertop or the like.

The base 102 may also include a clamp 134 or other structure toreleasably support the handle 108. In some examples, the clamp 134 maybe a C-clamp; however, other attachment mechanisms are envisioned. Thebase 102 may also include a hose cavity 136 or hose box that may receiveand support the hose 118 in a collapsed position. For example, the hosecavity 136 may include one or more arms on which the hose 118 may bewrapped. The hose cavity 136 may be recessed into the cover 130, may beflush with the cover, or may extend outwards from the cover.

The oral irrigator 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B is a countertopirrigator. However, in some examples, the oral irrigator 100 may be ahandheld irrigator. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a secondexample of an oral irrigator. With reference to FIG. 2, in exampleswhere the oral irrigator 100 is a handheld unit, the reservoir 104 andhandle 106 may be connected together. The reservoir 104 may include aremovable cavity that may refilled by a user and then reattached to thehandle 106. Additionally, in these examples, the internal components ofthe irrigator 100, such as the motor, pump, and control circuitry, maybe included within the handle 106 rather than a base unit. Thedescription of the oral irrigation described below is generally directedto the oral irrigator illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B; however, it shouldbe noted that the description is equally applicable to the oralirrigator 100 shown in FIG. 2, with the exception that the internalcomponents of the base are included in the handle 106.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-section views of the oral irrigator takenalong lines 3A-3A and 3B-3B, respectively, in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Withreference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the reservoir 104 defines a cavity 105 tohold liquid that may be expelled trough a tip 114 connected to thehandle 108. The reservoir 104 may include a lid 120 and may be removablefrom the base 102. In some examples, the oral irrigator 102 may be ahandheld or more compact and the reservoir 104 may be incorporated intothe handle 108 (e.g., a container attachable to the handle 108). Thereservoir 104 may be substantially any size or shape and may be modifiedas desired, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the reservoir is includedas a cavity attached to the handle.

With reference again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the handle 108 is movablerelative to the base 102 and may be fluidly connected to the reservoir104. For example, a hose 118 may fluidly connect the reservoir 104 tothe handle 108 and tip 114. In examples where the reservoir 104 may beincorporated into the handle 108, the hose 118 may be internal to thehandle 108 or may be omitted (e.g., a fluid pathway may be definedthrough a housing of the handle rather than a tube). In some examples,the handle 108 may include a plurality of internal components, such as acheck valves, bypass valves, pause valves, or the like. In theseexamples, the handle 108 may be used to vary one or more characteristicsof the fluid flow output by the tip, separate from or in addition withthe features for controlling the fluid output within the base. Asmentioned above, although a number of components, such as the pump,reservoir, etc., are discussed herein as being incorporated into thebase, in certain examples these components may be included with thehandle. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a handheld oral irrigator mayinclude a portable reservoir attached to the handle with a pump internalthe handle. Accordingly, the discussion of any particular example forthe handle and base is meant as illustrative only.

The tip 114 may be selectively removable from the handle 108. Forexample, an eject 126 button can selectively release the tip 144 fromthe handle 108. The tip 114 defines a fluid pathway that is fluidlyconnected to the hose 118. The tip 114 includes an outlet 122 from whichfluid from the reservoir 104 may be expelled from the oral irrigator100. The tip 114 may generally be configured to be inserted into auser's mouth and may expel fluid against a user's teeth, gums, tongue,etc. In some examples, the outlet 122 portion of the tip 144 may beshaped as a nozzle or may include a nozzle or other attachment connectedthereto.

The oral irrigator 100 may include a plurality of control actuators 110,112, 113, 124 to control one or more characteristics or parameters ofthe oral irrigator 100. For example, the control actuators 110, 112, 124may activate/deactivate the oral irrigator 100, may vary a flow rate, afluid pressure, a setting (e.g., slow, medium fast), and/or may activatea particular mode, e.g., massage mode. The number of control actuators110, 112, 113, 124, as well as their structure, size, or shape may bevaried as desired. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the twocontrol actuators 110, 112 on the base 102 are illustrated as rotatableknob or buttons; however, in other examples, the control actuators 110,112, 113 may be switches, sliders, or the like.

A first control actuator 110 may be configured to vary a fluid pressureof fluid as it exits the tip 114. For example, the control actuator 110may be connected to a valve that may selectively change the diameter orother fluid pathway characteristics of a fluid outlet or pathway betweenthe reservoir 104 and the tip 114. As the diameter is varies, such asdue to a user turning the control actuator 110, the outlet fluidpressure as fluid is expelled from the tip 114 may be selectivelymodified. As another example, the first control actuator 110 mayactivate a massage module to activate a massage mode for the oralirrigator 100.

A second control actuator 112 on the base may be configured toselectively power the oral irrigator 100. In other words, the secondcontrol actuator 112 may be a power button or knob to turn on the oralirrigator 100. Additionally, in some examples, the second controlactuator 112 may activate one or more settings. As an example, thesecond control actuator 112 may activate and deactivate the oralirrigator 100, as well as select one or more settings, such as a massagemode, low pressure, high pressure, or the like.

A third control actuator 113 on the base may be configured toselectively activate massage mode. In some examples the third controlactuator 113 may be positioned adjacent to the second control actuator112 and may be a compressible button, rather than a knob. However, inother examples, the control actuator 113 may be a knob and may belocated on the handle or other portions of the base 102.

In some examples, a fourth control actuator 124 may be disposed on thehandle 108. The fourth control actuator 124 may selectively activate oneor more settings or may act to pause the oral irrigator 100. By placingthe control actuator 124 on the handle 108, the user may more easilychange settings or pause the oral irrigator 100 while he or she is usingthe oral irrigator 100.

The various control actuators 110, 112, 113, 124 may be configured asdesired and may change one or more settings or parameters of the oralirrigator 100. For example, any of the buttons 110, 112, 113, 124 may beconfigured to activate a massage mode for the oral irrigator 100.

The oral irrigator 100 may also include a plurality of lights 117 a, 117b, which may be used to provide feedback to a user. For example, thelights 117 a, 117 b may illuminate, change color, or may pulse toindicate a current mode of the oral irrigator, a pressure level of theoral irrigator, or the like. In a specific example, a first light 117 ais illuminated during normal mode and a second light 117 b isilluminated during massage mode. See, for example, FIG. 7D.

With reference to FIG. 1B, the oral irrigator 100 may include a powercable 116 or port to receive a power cable. The power cable 116 may beconfigured to be received into an outlet or power source and maytransfer power from a power source to the oral irrigator 100. It shouldbe noted that the type of power cable 116 might be varied based on thepower source for the oral irrigator 100. Alternatively, such as the oralirrigator shown in FIG. 2, the oral irrigator 100 may include anintegrated power supply; such as one or more batteries, and in thesecases the power cord 116 may be omitted or may be used to recharge theintegrated power supply (rather than directly provide power to the oralirrigator 100). As will be discussed in more detail below, the powercord 116 may function to act as a power supply for the oral irrigator.

An illustrative example of the internal components of the oral irrigator100 will now be discussed in further detail. FIGS. 4A and 4B are variousperspective views of the oral irrigator 100 with select elements hiddenfor clarity. With reference to FIGS. 4A-4B the oral irrigator 100 mayinclude a motor 142, a gear box 144, a pump 146, and a chassis 140supporting the motor 142, gear box 144 and pump 146. A valve assembly156 including a valve 158 may fluidly connect the reservoir 104 to thepump 146 and a valve fitting 152 may fluidly connect the pump 146 to thehose 118 (and thus the tip 114 and handle 108). Additionally, a checkvalve 167 may be positioned between the valve assembly 156 and the valvefitting 152. The check valve 167 may regulate fluid pressure of the oralirrigator 100. The oral irrigator 100 may also include a controlcircuitry 164 having a signal generator 166 in electrical communicationwith the motor 142.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 4A, the motor 142 may be substantiallyany type of motor that may drive movement or create mechanical worksufficient to drive a pump. For example, the motor 142 may be a directcurrent motor, where the speed of the motor 142 may be controlled by asignal, such as a voltage signal. Control of the motor 142 will bediscussed in more detail below.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 4A, the motor 142 may include a driveshaft 143 (see FIG. 3A) that is connected to a gear shaft 147 and adrive gear 149. The drive gear 149 is connected to a piston 145 or othermoveable element within the pump 146. The gear box 144 may cover thegear shaft 147, the drive gear 149, and other mechanical gears orlinkage elements that may be used to connect the drive shaft 143 of themotor 144 to the pump 146. The linkage and gear elements may be variedas desired and may depend on the orientation of the motor and the pumprelative to one another, the size or speed of the motor, and the like.

The pump 146 may be substantially any type of component that may pumpfluid from one location to another. For example, the pump 146 may be apiston driven pump that may selectively push fluid from the reservoir104 into the hose 118. However, many other pump types are envisioned.Some illustrate pump types include a diaphragm pump or a centrifugalpump. The pump 146 may include a pump body 169 and an inlet pump 165received within the pump body 169. The first control actuator 110 may beconnected to the pump 146 and may be attached to a bypass valve or othercontrol valve (not shown). As discussed briefly above, the first controlactuator 110 may selectively vary the pressure of fluid output from thepump 146 and may do so by varying the diameter of a fluid channelbetween the pump 146 and the tip 114.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3A-4B, the valve assembly 156 may beconnected to the pump 146 and received into a bottom of the reservoir.The valve assembly 156 may include a valve 158 and one or more sealingmembers 160, 162, such as O-rings or sealing cups. The valve 158 mayregulate fluid flow from the reservoir 104 into the pump 146.Accordingly, the valve 158 is in fluid communication with the reservoir104 and provides fluid from the reservoir 104 into the pump 146.

The valve fitting 152 includes a fluid outlet 154 and fluidly connectsthe pump 146 to hose 118. The valve fitting 152 may be connected to thehose 118 and provide a fluid pathway from the reservoir 104 to thehandle 108.

The oral irrigator 100 may also include one or more isolators 168. Theisolators 168 may connect the chassis 140 to the bottom support 128 ofthe base 102. In some examples, the isolators 168 may absorb vibrationsfrom the motor 142 and the pump 146, to reduce the vibrations that maybe transmitted to the bottom support 128 and/or feet 132 a, 132 b, 132c, 132 d. For example, the isolators 168 may be an elastomeric materialor other material configured to absorb vibrations.

Additionally, in some examples, the oral irrigator 100 may include oneor more feedback components. For example, the lights 117 a, 117 b, whichmay be light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be used to provide feedback tothe user. Continuing with this example, the lights 117 a, 117 b may beilluminated to indicate the mode of the oral irrigator (e.g., massagemode or normal mode), or may be illuminated to indicate a cleaning oractivation time, or the like.

The control circuit 164 may control the motor 142 and other elements ofthe oral irrigator 100. FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of the oralirrigator 100 illustrating the electrical communication between selectcomponents. With reference to FIGS. 3A and 5, a power source 115 (whichmay be an outlet in communication via the power cable 116 or one or morebatteries) may be in communication with a massage module 172, the motor142, and optionally, one or more of the input buttons 110, 112, 124. Forexample, the second control actuator 112 may be in communication with aswitch 148 module that may be in communication with control circuitry164 and/or power source 115 to selectively activate the motor 142.

In some examples, the control circuitry 164 may provide a substrate thatsupports one or more components, as well as provides communicationbetween those components. For example, the control circuit 164 may be aprinted circuit board including one or more traces or connective linesthat transmit signals between the massage module 172, the motor 142,and/or the power source 115.

The massage module 172 may selectively control the motor 142 to vary oneor more parameters of oral irrigator 100. The massage module 172 mayinclude a signal generator 166 as well as one or more processingelements 170. The processing element 170 may be one or more processorsor control chips that may process and execute instructions. The signalgenerator 166 may be substantially any type of component that may createvoltage signals to control one or more characteristics of the motor 142.For example, the signal generator 166 may create one or more repeatingor non-repeating electronic signals (e.g., voltage waveforms) that maybe applied to the motor 142. In a particular implementation, the signalgenerator 166 may be a function generator that may produce electricalwaveforms over a range of frequencies. Exemplary waveforms includesinusoidal waves, square waves, sawtooth waves, triangular waves, and soon. Additionally, the signal generator may be configured to createmodified waves that include characteristics of two or more waveforms.Illustrative waveforms that may be used will be discussed in more detailbelow with respect to FIGS. 8A-8C.

FIG. 6 is a simplified circuit diagram of the massage module 172. Withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the signal generator 166 may be incommunication with an amplifier 174 and a gate 176 or switch. The signalgenerator 166 may be in communication with the processor element 170,which may determine the signals generated by the signal generator 166.In some examples, the signal generator 166 may be incorporated into theprocessing element 170, such that the processing element 170 may performthe functions of the signal generator 166 and may create and applysignals to the motor.

The signal generator 166 may be in communication with an amplifier 174.The amplifier 174 may amplify a signal generated by the signal generator166 prior to applying the signal to the motor. For example, theamplifier 174 may be an operational amplifier or a differentialamplifier. The amplifier 174 may be in communication with the motor 142as well as the signal generator 166. In some examples, the amplifier 174may be configured to receive feedback from its output, in order toprovide a more consistent output signal. However, it should be notedthat the configuration of the amplifier 174, as well as the type ofamplifier and inputs used may be varied based on the type of motor 142and signal generator used 166. Additionally, depending on the outputvoltage of the signal generator and/or other system characteristics, theamplifier 174 may be omitted. In these instances, the signal may bedirectly or indirectly applied to the motor without being amplified.

The amplifier 174 may be in communication with a gate 176 or switch. Thegate 176 may selectively provide the output of the amplifier 174 (whichmay be a signal produced by the signal generator 166) to the motor 142.For example, when the gate is not activated, the motor 142 may notreceive a signal from the signal generator, but may receive a constantpower signal. As another example, when the gate is not activated, themotor 142 may be separated from any signal or power source, preventingthe motor from being activated. In this example, the gate 176 providespower to the motor and the signal produced by the signal generatorvaries the signal transmitted through the gate and during normal modethe motor receives a constant voltage signal and during massage mode themotor receives a variable signal. As yet another example, the activationvoltage for the gate 176 may be varied to control the currenttransmission to the motor. In particular, the gate 176 may be turnedslightly activated during one mode allowing a reduced amount of currentto travel between its source and drain (when the gate is a transistor)and then may be fully activated to allow full current flow. Thevariation in current may be used to pulse the signal to the motor or maybe used to slow the motor down.

The gate 176 may be a switch or other selectively activated component.In one example, the gate 176 may be a transistor, such as ametal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), such as anN-channel MOSFET. However, other types of transistors or gates are alsoenvisioned, as well as other components that may be used to selectivelyprovide communication between two or more components.

The massage module and other control circuitry of the oral irrigator maybe implemented in a number of different manners, which may vary asdesired. FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate various circuit schematics that may beused to implement one or more functions of the oral irrigator, controlcircuitry, and/or massage module. However, it should be noted that theelectrical components, such as resistors, capacitors, and/or gatesillustrated may be otherwise configured, omitted, or varied based on anumber of a different factors. As such, the schematics illustrated inFIGS. 7A-7D are meant as illustrative and not limiting.

FIG. 7A is an illustrative circuit schematic of the control circuitryfor one example of the oral irrigator. With reference to FIG. 7A, thecircuitry 164 may include a number of electrical components, such astraces, resistors, switches or transistors, and amplifier. The schematicillustrated in FIG. 7A is one example only and the exact components andstructures for implementing the massage module may be varied as desiredand based on the constraints and parameters of the particular oralirrigator or other device incorporating the massage module.

FIG. 7B illustrates a second example of a schematic for the oralirrigator. In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the voltage source may be12V and the processing element 170 and the switch 148 may controloperation of the oral irrigator 100. The schematic may also include asecond control element 171 that may control a clock signal, data, areset function, and the like for the oral irrigator. The second controlelement 171 may be in electrical communication with the processingelement 170.

FIG. 7C illustrates a third example of a schematic for the oralirrigator. In the example shown in FIG. 7C, the voltage source may behigher than the example shown in FIG. 7B and may include a fuse 181 tohelp regulate spikes in current and/or voltage. As shown in FIG. 7B, thesecond control element 171 may also be used to provide clock signals andresets for the oral irrigator 100 and the switch 148 may providecommunication between one or more of the control actuators 110, 112,113, 124 with the processing element 170.

FIG. 7D illustrates a diagram of the switch 148 and light module. Withreference to FIGS. 7B, 7C, and 7D, the switch 148 module may be incommunication with the processing element 170, the lights 117 a, 117 b,the second control actuator 112, and the third control actuator 113.With reference to FIG. 7D, when the second control actuator 112 isactivated by the user, the switch 148 may provide a signal to theprocessing element 170, which may activate the oral irrigator 100.Additionally, the switch 148 may activate the first light 117 a toindicate that the oral irrigator 100 has been activated and is in thenormal mode. For example, the normal or clean mode may be a default modethat may be activated when the oral irrigator 100 is initiallyactivated.

With continued reference to FIGS. 7B, 7C and 7D, when the second controlactuator 113 is activated by the user, the switch 148 may provide asignal to the processing element 170 indicating that the user hasactivate the massage mode or second mode. Additionally, the switch 148may illuminate the second light 117 b to indicate to the user that themassage mode has been activated. In the example shown in FIG. 7D, bothlights 117 a, 117 b may be light emitting diodes. However, in otherembodiments, other light sources are envisioned.

With reference again to FIGS. 1A-6, in operation, the user may rotate,push, or otherwise provide an input to the second control actuator 112.The second control actuator 112 may activate the oral irrigator 100,causing the power supply 115 to provide power to the control circuitry164 and the motor 142. During normal operation, control circuitry 164will provide a normal control signal to the motor 142. For example, thevoltage or power source 115 may be placed into communication with themotor 142 and may provide a substantially constant control signal to themotor 142. As the motor 142 receives the constant control signal, themotor 142 may begin turning the drive shaft 143, moving the piston 145.As the piston moves, fluid from the reservoir 104 may be pulled throughthe valve 158 into the pump 146 and be pushed through the outlet 154 ofthe valve fitting 152 into the hose 118. The fluid may then travelthrough the hose 118 to the handle 108 and exit out of the tip 114.

During normal operation, the control signal to the motor 142 may besubstantially constant, causing the motor 142 to rotate the drive shaftin a constant manner (e.g., having a constant velocity). In exampleswhere a piston pump or other reciprocating pump is used, the fluid maybe slightly pulsed as it is expelled from the tip 114. This is due tothe reciprocating nature of the pump, e.g., the alternating pulling andpushing to alternately pull fluid from the reservoir 104 and push fluidfrom the pump out to the tip 114. Depending on the type, size, or thelike, the pulses during normal operation may have a somewhat shortduration and fast frequency. In one example, the pulses due to thereciprocating nature of the pump 146 may be about 26 pulses per second.However, in other examples, during normal mode, the fluid outlet may notbe pulsed, but may be substantially constant. For example, in exampleswhere a non-reciprocating pump is used, the output during normal modemay be substantially constant.

During use, if the user hits the pause actuator 124, a valve within thehandle 106 may reduce or substantially prevent fluid from exiting thetip 114. Alternatively or additionally, the fourth control actuator 124may transmit a signal to the processing element 170 that may temporarilystop movement of the motor 142, to prevent or reduce fluid transmittedfrom the reservoir 104 to the tip 114. Also, if the first controlactuator 110 is activated, the user may selectively adjust the pressureof fluid expelled from the tip 114.

If massage mode is activated, such as by a user providing an input tothe oral irrigator 100 through one of the control actuators 110, 112,113, 124, the fluid output characteristics may be modified. For example,the third control actuator 113 may be used to activate a massage modefor the oral irrigator 100. During massage mode, the processing element170 may selectively activate the gate 176, to vary the signal providedto the motor 142. In one example, the signal generator 166 may apply avarying signal to the motor 142, which may cause the motor 142 toselectively vary one or more movement characteristics. For example, thesignal generator 166 may apply a signal that has a variable voltageacross a predetermined time duration. The signal may vary not only involtage magnitude, but also in time between a high voltage and a lowvoltage (e.g., frequency).

With reference to FIG. 6, the amplifier 174 may increase the signalgenerated by the signal generator 166 and provide the increased controlsignal to the motor 174. The control signal may selectively interrupt orvary the power supplied to the motor 142, causing the motor tointermittently stop or slow down, reducing, stopping, or changing themovement of the drive shaft 143. As the drive shaft 143 varies, thepiston 145 may also vary, which may increase the length of pulsesproduced by the pump 146, as well as the pressure output by the pump146. As an example, when the control signal is low or otherwise preventspower from being transmitted to the motor, the motor 142 may stoprotating the drive shaft 143, which may in turn, stop movement of thepiston 145, reducing or stopping fluid from flowing from the reservoir104 to the tip 114.

Specifically, one control signal may be configured create 0.5 secondpulses. In other words, the pump 146 may produce 2 pulses per second,with may have a substantially slower pulse rate than the pulse rate dueto the reciprocating nature of the pump, and each pulse may have asubstantially longer duration as compared to the normal mode. However,it should be noted that other pulse rates are envisioned and will bediscussed in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 8A-8C.

In some implementations, the flow rate of the oral irrigator duringmassage mode may be reduced as compared to the flow rate during normalmode. As a specific example, the massage mode flow rate may be between40 to 70 percent and often 50 to 60 percent of the flow rate duringnormal mode. In some implementations, the oral irrigator 100 may have aflow rate during clean mode ranging between 300-400 mL per minute andoften may be about 370 mL per minute and during massage mode the flowrate may range between 150-200 mL per minute or lower and often may be222 mL per minute.

In addition to changing the pulse rate, the control signal may also varythe magnitude of power provided to the motor 142, which may increase ordecrease the outlet pressure of the pump 142. In a specificimplementation, the outlet pressure of the oral irrigator duringcleaning mode may range between 70 to 95 psi, and often average between90-93 psi and during massage mode may range between 60 to 90 psi, andoften average between 80-87 psi. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate examplepressure ranges for the oral irrigator during normal mode and duringmassage mode. For example, by applying an increased voltage to the motor142, the current supplied to the motor 142 may also increase, increasingthe torque of the motor 142. The increased torque may exert an increasedforce on the piston 145, to increase the output pressure of the oralirrigator 100. Accordingly, in some examples, the control signal mayvary not only the durations for which a voltage is applied to the motor,but also the magnitude of the voltage in order to vary not only thefluid pulses but also the fluid pressure output by the oral irrigator100.

As the fluid exits the tip 114, the user may direct the flow on his orher teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, or the like. The varying controlsignals may vary the fluid output by the tip 114. In some examples, thevariation in fluid may create a massage effect on a user's gums. Forexample, during each pulse fluid may not exit from the tip 114, allowingblood to return to the user's gums before the next fluid stream hits thegums. This may provide a massaging effect, as well as may stimulateblood flow to the gums and enhance the cleaning experience with the oralirrigator.

The signal generator 166 may vary a frequency and magnitude of thecontrol signal based on a desired output pulse rate and fluid pressure.FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate control signals that may be created by the signalgenerator to be applied to the motor 142. The control signals mayinclude one or more voltage peaks and voltage minimums. As someillustrative examples, the voltage peaks may be 170V, 12V, 6V, or othervalues and the voltage minimums may be a subset of the voltage peaks andoften may be substantially or about 0V. However, it should be noted thatmany other voltage values are envisioned and the voltage of the controlsignal may depend on the motor, the processing element, and other systemparameters and as such may be modified as desired.

With reference to FIG. 8A, a control signal 200 may be a square wavehaving a voltage peak 202 or amplitude and a voltage minimum 204. Insome examples, the voltage peak 202 (i.e., maximum voltage) may beapplied for a duration T1 and the voltage minimum 204 may be applied fora duration T2. In this example, the durations T1 and T2 may beapproximately equal. In a particular implementation, the peak voltage202 may be approximately 12 V and the minimum voltage 204 may be 0 V,additionally both durations T1 and T2 may have a length of approximately100 ms.

When the control signal 202 of FIG. 8A is applied to the motor 142,during the duration T2 of the minimum voltage 204, the motor 142 may notreceive power. In other words, because the minimum voltage 204 is set to0 V, the motor 142 may not be powered. As the motor 142 does not receivepower during the duration of the minimum voltage 204, the drive shaft143 may slow down and stop moving, stopping movement of the piston 145within the pump 146. Thus, during the duration T2, the pump 146 may notpump fluid, creating a pause in fluid flow. Then, when the peak voltage202 is applied, the motor 142 may begin rotating the drive shaft 143,causing the piston 145 to push fluid from the pump 146, creating fluidflow. In this example, the minimum voltages 204 may define the “pulse”length, or the intermission between fluid output.

With continued reference to FIG. 8A, in another example, the maximumvoltage 202 may be selected to be approximately 12V and the minimumvoltage 204 may be selected to be approximately 6 V or half of themaximum voltage. However, in other embodiments, the minimum voltage maybe 0V in this example as well. Additionally, the two time durations maybe selected to be 160 ms. In this example, during second duration T2when the minimum voltage 204 is applied to the motor 142, the motor 142may receive some power, but the power may be reduced as compared to themaximum voltage 202. In this example, the motor 142 may still rotate thedrive shaft 143, but may do so at a reduced torque and speed, which mayalso cause a reduced flow rate and pressure output by the pump 146. Inthis example, during each pulse, fluid may be output from the tip 114,but at a slower flow rate and pressure.

In yet another implementation, the time durations T1 and T2 may beselected to be 250 ms. In these examples, the frequency of the pulsesmay be reduced, such that there may be fewer pulses per second ascompared to examples where the time durations may be shorter.

In FIG. 8A, because the time durations T1 and T2 may be substantiallyequal, the time of fluid output and fluid pause may be substantially thesame. However, in other examples, the time durations for the maximumvoltage and the minimum voltage may be varied. With reference to FIG.8B, a control signal 212 may include a voltage maximum 212 having aduration T3 and a voltage minimum 214 having a duration T4. In thisexample, the peak time duration T3 may be shorter than the minimum timeduration T4, which may result in longer “pauses” in fluid flow orpulses. The time duration T4 may be twice, three times, or more, thelength of the peak time duration T3.

As one example, the minimum voltage time duration T4 may be three timesas long as the maximum voltage time duration T3. Thus, the pause influid flow may last three times as long as the fluid flow segments orpulses. In a specific implementation, the maximum voltage 212 may be 12Vand may have time duration T3 of 100 ms, the minimum voltage 214 may be0V and may have a duration of 300 ms. However, the above values areillustrative only and many other implementations are envisioned.Furthermore, although the control signal 210 in FIG. 8B is illustratedas having a longer low voltage duration T4 than maximum voltage durationT3, in some examples, the maximum voltage time duration T3 may be longerthan the minimum voltage time duration T4. In these examples, the pausesor breaks between fluid flow may be reduced as compared to the fluidstream time durations.

In the control signals 200, 210 illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, theremay be a rapid transition between the maximum or peak voltage 202, 212and the minimum voltage 204, 214. For example, both control signals 200,210 may be square waves that substantially instantaneously transitionbetween minimum and maximum values. However, in other examples, thecontrol signal may gradually transition between a maximum and minimumvoltage.

With reference to FIG. 8C, a control signal 220 having a sinusoidalshape is illustrated. The control signal 220 may have a peak voltage 220and a minimum voltage 224, with the peak voltage 220 having a timeduration T5 and the minimum voltage having a time duration T6. However,because the control signal 220 may gradually change between the maximumand minimum levels, the durations T5 and T6 may represent the timebetween inflection points 226, 228. The inflection points 226, 228generally may represent half of a cycle or period for the control signal220. In other words, the sum of the durations T5 and T6 may representthe period for the control signal 220.

Using the control signal 220 of FIG. 8C, the motor 142 may more subtlytransition between the high and low states of fluid flow. That is, thetransition between the “pulses” may be tapered so that there may not bea sudden reduction in fluid flow, but a more gradual reduction. In someexamples, the peak voltage 222 may be three times as large as theminimum voltage 224. As one example, the peak voltage 222 may beselected at 15V and the minimum voltage 224 may be selected at 3V. Inthis example, the period of the control signal 220 may be 1800 ms withthe high duration T5 being 900 ms and the low duration 16 being 900 ms.Although the control signal 222 shown in FIG. 8C is a sine wave, otherwaveforms are envisioned, such as combination waveforms (e.g., havingcharacteristics of multiple wave types), elliptical waveforms, and thelike. Accordingly, the discussion of any particular waveform is meant asillustrative only.

The massage module 172 may not only vary the pulse rate fluid flow ofthe oral irrigator, but may also vary an outlet fluid pressure for theoral irrigator. FIG. 9A is a chart illustrating an example outletpressure of the oral irrigator during clean mode. FIG. 9B is a chartillustrating an example outlet pressure of the oral irrigator duringmassage mode. With reference first to FIG. 9A, the oral irrigator 100may pulse rapidly (which may be due to the reciprocating nature of thepump) and the outlet pressure 240 may vary between peaks 242 and valleys244. As can be seen from the graph in FIG. 9A, each pressure peak 242may be generally close together with a pressure pulse rate of just over21 peaks per second. Additionally, the average pressure for the peaks242 may be 91.8 psi and generally the pressure at the peaks 242 rangesbetween 91 and 92 psi. The example outlet pressures discussed herein aremeant as illustrative only and may be higher or lower based as desired.

With continued reference to FIG. 9A, the output pressure 240 may alsodrop to the valleys 244, which may hover around 0 psi before thepressure ramps back up extend towards a pressure peak 242. Each of thevalleys 244 may occur while the piston 145 in the pump 146 is drawingfluid into the pump chamber before it expels the fluid and are thereforedue to the reciprocating nature of the pump 146. Accordingly, inexamples where a non-reciprocating pump may be used, the outlet pressureduring normal mode may be substantially constant.

With reference now to FIG. 9B, during massage mode, the outlet pressure250 of the oral irrigator 100 may be lower than during clean mode (shownin FIG. 9A) and may also have non-pulsating periods during which theoutlet pressure may be close to or at 0 psi. For example, the outletpressure 250 may include a high pressure period T_(high) and a lowpressure period T_(low). During the high pressure period T_(high), theoutlet pressure 250 may include a plurality of pressure peaks 252, aswell as ramp peaks 256 that are the pressure peak while the oralirrigator 100 is transitioning between the high pressure period and thelow pressure period. Additionally, the outlet pressure 250 may includevalleys 254, 258. The first valley 254 may be during the high pressureT_(high) period and may be due to the reciprocating nature of the piston145, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 9A. The second valley 258represents the low pressure period between pulses of high pressure.During the low pressure period T_(low), the oral irrigator 100 mayoutput little to no pressure.

As shown in FIG. 9B, in some examples, the oral irrigator 100 may havean average outlet pressure of 85.9 psi during massage mode. As with theclean mode, many other outlet pressures are envisioned and the aboveexamples are meant as illustrative only and not limiting.

A method for operating the oral irrigator 100 including the massagemodule 172 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 10 is a method 300for activating the massage mode. The method 300 may begin with operation302 and the irrigator 100 may be activated. For example, the secondcontrol actuator 112 may be selected by a user to turn on the oralirrigator 100. Once the oral irrigator 100 is activated, the method 300may proceed to operation 304. In operation 304, the processing element170 may determine whether massage mode has been activated. For example,the processing element 170 may determine whether a user has provided aninput to one of the control actuators 110, 112, 124 to select themassage mode. In a specific implementation, the switch 148 may providean input to the processing element 170 when the second control actuatoris activated. As another example, the massage mode may be activatedautomatically after a select time period of activation of the irrigator100, e.g., after 30 seconds of operation, the massage mode may beautomatically activated.

If the massage mode is not activated, the method may proceed tooperation 314, which will be discussed in more detail below. However, ifin operation 304 the massage mode is activated, the method 300 mayproceed to operation 306. In operation 306, the signal generator 166 maygenerate a control signal 200, 210, 220. The control signal generated200, 210, 220 may be selected from a predetermined signal, or as will bediscussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 10, may be generatedbased on one or more user inputs.

Once the signal generator 166 has generated the control signal 200, 210,220, the method 300 may proceed to operation 308. In operation 308 thecontrol signal may be applied to the motor. For example, the gate 176may be activated to provide the control signal from the signal generator166 to the motor 142. As the control signal is applied to the motor 142,the motor 142 may drive the drive shaft 143 based on the signal. Forexample, the motor 142 may selectively slow down or stop rotation of thedrive shaft and/or may decrease or reduce the torque produced by thedrive shaft. The variations in the drive shaft movement may createrelated changes in the piston 145, thus varying the output of the pump146, changing the output characteristics of the fluid flow from the tip114.

After operation 308, the method 300 may proceed to operation 312. Inoperation 312, the processing element 170 may determine whether to endmassage mode. For example, the user may provide a second input to theoral irrigator 100, e.g., by selecting one of the control actuators 110,112, 124, to indicate that he or she wishes to resume normal mode. Asanother example, the oral irrigator 100 may have a predetermined timeperiod for massage mode (e.g., 1 minute, or the like), and theprocessing element 172 may determine to end massage mode once theallotted time has passed.

In operation 312, if massage mode is not terminated, the method 300 mayproceed to operation 310. In operation 310, the method 300 may determinewhether the same control signal 200, 210, 220 should be applied to themotor or whether a different signal should be applied. If the controlsignal is to remain the same, the method 300 may return to operation 308and the signal may continue to be applied to the motor 142. However, inoperation 310 if a new signal is desired, the method 300 may return tooperation 306 and the signal generator 166 may generate a new controlsignal. For example, in some examples, a user may wish to vary pressure,pulse rate, or the transition between pulses during massage mode. Inthese instances, the processing element 170 may receive a user input tovary the control signal and may instruct the signal generator 166 tocreate a new control signal or vary the current control signal.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, if in operation 312 massage mode isterminated, the method 300 may proceed to operation 314. In operation314 the processing element 170 may provide a constant signal to themotor 142. In other words, the normal mode signal may be applied to themotor, and in some instances, the normal mode signal may besubstantially constant. As the motor 142 receives the normal modesignal, movement of the drive shaft 143 may be constant, and any pulsesin the fluid output may be due to the reciprocating nature of the pump146, rather than variable movement in the motor.

After operation 314, the method 300 may proceed to operation 316. Inoperation 316, the processing element 170 may determine whether morecleaning is desired. For example, the processing element 170 maydetermine whether the user has deactivated the power control actuator112. As another example, the oral irrigator may be configured to have anactivation time corresponding to a predetermined “cleaning” length andonce the time length has expired, the oral irrigator 100 mayautomatically shut off.

If more cleaning is desired, the method 300 may return to operation 304.However, if no additional cleaning is desired, the method 300 mayproceed to operation 318. In operation 318, the processing element 170may deactivate the motor. As one example, the processing element 170 mayswitch off a connection between the power supply 115 and the motor 142.After operation 318, the method 300 may proceed to an end state 320.

In some examples, the pressure and pulse rate of the massage mode may bestatically set. However, in other examples, the pressure and pulse rateof the pulses during massage mode may be dynamically modifiable or maybe initially set by a user (e.g., calibrated to a particular user'spreferences). FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method fordynamically modifying one or more characteristics of the fluid flowduring massage mode. With reference to FIG. 11, the method 400 may beginwith operation 402. In operation 402, massage mode for the oralirrigator 100 may be activated. For example, the user may select one ofthe control actuators 110, 112, 124 to indicate his or her desire toenter massage mode. Once in massage mode, as described in operations 306and 308 in FIG. 9, the signal generator 166 may generate a signal andapply the signal to the motor 142.

Once massage mode has been activated, the method 400 may proceed tooperation 404. In operation 404, the processing element 170 maydetermine whether the outlet pressure should be varied. For example, onthe control actuators 110, 112, 124 may be used to allow the user toprovide an input indicating whether he or she wishes for the pressure tobe increased or decreased. In a particular example, rotating one of thecontrol actuators 110, 112, 124 in a first direction may correspond toan increase in pressure and rotating in a second direction maycorrespond to a decrease in pressure.

If the pressure is to be varied from the current control signal output,the method 400 may proceed to operation 406. In operation 406 theprocessing element 170 may determine whether the pressure should beincreased. In other words, the processing element 170 may determinewhether the user input to vary the pressure corresponds to an increasein pressure or a decrease. It should be noted that in manyimplementations, operations 404 and 406 may be performed substantiallysimultaneously. For example, the processing element 170 may receive asingle input that indicates both a change a pressure, as well as whetherthe pressure is to be increased or decreased.

In operation 406, if the pressure is going to be decreased, the method400 may proceed to operation 408. In operation 408, the control signal200, 210, 220 may be modified by the processing element 170 to reducethe maximum voltage 202, 212, 222, or reduce the amplitude of thecontrol signal. As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 8A-8C, bydecreasing the maximum voltage of the control signal, the outputpressure by the pump 146 may be reduced due to a reduction in outputtorque by the motor. However, it should be noted that in other examples,the pressure may be decreased manually, such as by a user closing oropening a valve, such a by-pass valve or the like. In these examples,the control signal may not be modified, but the mechanical properties ofthe fluid path between the reservoir 104 and the tip 114 may be changed.

If in operation 406 the pressure is going to be increased the method 400may proceed to operation 410. In operation 410, the peak voltage 202,212, 222 or amplitude of the control signal 200, 210, 220 may beincreased. As a specific example, the peak voltage may increase from 10V to 12V. As discussed above, the outlet pressure may be related to thevoltage applied to the motor 142 by the control signal, such that achange in the voltage may correspond to a change in pressure.

After either operation 408 or 410, the method 400 may proceed tooperation 412. In operation 412, the processing element 170 maydetermine whether the pulse length and/or pulse rate should be varied.For example, the user may be provide input to the oral irrigator 100through one or more of the control actuators 110, 112, 124 indicatinghis or her desire to increase the pulse rate or length.

If the pulse rate is going to be varied, the method 400 may proceed tooperation 414. In operation 414, the processing element 170 maydetermine whether the pulse rate is going to be increased. For example,the user input to vary the pulse rate may also include an indication ofwhether the pulse rate should be increased or decreased. Additionally,as discussed above with respect to pressure, in some examples, the userinput indicating that the pulse rate should be varied may also includedata indicating whether the pulse rate should be increased or decreased.

In operation 414, if the pulse rate is going to decrease, the method 400may proceed to operation 416. In operation 416, the signal generator 166may decrease the frequency of the control signal 200, 210, 220. As anexample, the duration T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 may be increased, such that thecycles per unit of time of the control signal may be increased, reducingthe number of pulses per second.

In operation 414 if the pulse rate is going to be increased, the method400 may proceed to operation 418. In operation 418, the signal generator166 may increase the frequency of the control signal. For example, theduration T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 for the control signal may shorten,increasing the number of cycles of the control signal per minute. Byshortening the length of the maximum and minimum voltages applied to themotor 142, the length of each pulse may be shortened, increasing thenumber of pulses per time frame.

After operations 416 or 418 or if in operation 412 the pulse rate is notgoing to be changed, the method 400 may proceed to an end state 420 andmay terminate. It should be noted that the method 400 is an illustrativemethod for varying one or more characteristics of the fluid flow throughthe tip 114 during massage mode. However, many other methods areenvisioned. As one example, the transition between high and low or fluidflow and a pulse may be varied by changing the transition between themaximum and the minimum voltage levels in the control signal. As anotherexample, the length of fluid flow as compared to pulses or breaks influid flow may be varied by changing the duration T1, T2, T3, T4, T5that either the maximum voltage or the minimum voltage is applied to themotor 142.

Other Examples

As generally discussed above, the processing element 170 may vary acontrol signal to the motor to change either or both the fluid pulserate and/or the fluid outlet pressure. In other examples, the processingelement 170 may activate a switch or valve to vary the pulse rate and/orpressure. As a first example, the processing element 170 may be incommunication with an electrical valve such as a solenoid valve and whenthe massage mode is activated, the processing element 170 may vary theoutlet of the valve to change the pressure and/or may selectively openand close the valve to change the flow rate of the oral irrigator 100.As a second example, the oral irrigator 100 may include a gear driventurbine or a water driven turbine that may be mechanically actuated oractuated by the processing element 170 to vary the flow rate of the oralirrigator 100.

Conclusion

The foregoing description has broad application. For example, whileexamples disclosed herein may focus on a massage mode for oralirrigators, it should be appreciated that the concepts disclosed hereinmay equally apply to other motor driven devices where a variation inmotion may be desired. Similarly, although the massage module isdiscussed with respect to reducing a pulse rate to create a massagefeeling, the devices and techniques disclosed herein are equallyapplicable to modifying the pulse rate or pressure of an outlet fluidfor other applications (e.g., creating a faster pulse rate for quickeror more effective cleaning). Accordingly, the discussion of any exampleis meant only to be exemplary and is not intended to suggest that thescope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to theseexamples.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred examples, persons skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The invention is limited only by the scopeof the following claims.

What claimed is:
 1. An oral irrigator comprising; a reservoir; a tip influid communication with the reservoir; a pump in fluid communicationwith the tip and the reservoir, wherein the pump pumps fluid from thereservoir to the tip; a motor connected to the pump, wherein the motordrives the pump; and a control module electrically coupled to the motorto vary an output of the motor, wherein during a normal mode, thecontrol module drives the motor to output a normal pulse rate, a normalflow rate, and a normal fluid pressure as the fluid exits the tip; andduring a massage mode, the control module drives the motor to output amassage pulse rate, a massage flow rate, and a massage fluid pressure asthe fluid exits the tip, wherein the massage pulse rate is lower thanthe normal pulse rate; the massage fluid pressure is lower than thenormal fluid pressure; and the massage fluid pressure is lower than thenormal fluid pressure.
 2. The oral irrigator of claim 1, wherein themassage fluid pulse rate corresponds to a blood flow rate into gumtissue.
 3. The oral irrigator of claim 1, wherein the normal fluid pulserate is approximately 26 pulses per sound and the massage fluid pulserate is approximately 2 pulses per second.
 4. The oral irrigator ofclaim 1, wherein the massage flow rate is between 40 to 60 percent ofthe normal flow rate.
 5. The oral irrigator of claim 1, wherein themassage flow rate is between 150 to 200 ml/minute.
 6. The oral irrigatorof claim 1, wherein the normal fluid pressure is above 90 psi and thenormal fluid pressure is below 90 psi.
 7. The oral irrigator of claim 1,wherein the pump comprises: a pump body; a piston positioned within thepump body and movable relative thereto; and a drive linkage coupling thepiston to the motor, wherein as the motor rotates, the piston is movedbetween a first position and a second position within the pump body. 8.The oral irrigator of claim 7, wherein the motor rotates in a singledirection.
 9. The oral irrigator of claim 1, further comprising: alinkage assembly coupling the pump to the motor; and a gearbox coveringthe linkage assembly.
 10. The oral irrigator of claim 9, furthercomprising a
 11. The oral irrigator of claim 1, further comprising: oneor more light emitting diodes coupled to the processing element, whereinwhen the massage mode is selected, the one or more light emitting diodesare illuminated.
 12. The oral irrigator of claim 1, wherein during thenormal mode, the control module provides a substantially constantcontrol signal to the motor.
 13. The oral irrigator of claim 11, whereinthe normal pulse rate is determined based on a reciprocating motion ofthe pump.
 14. The oral irrigator of claim 1, further comprising: ahousing; a chassis positioned to the housing and supporting the pump andmotor; and one or more isolators coupled between the chassis and thehousing, wherein the isolators absorb vibrations from the motor and thepump.
 15. The oral irrigator of claim 1, further comprising a pressurecontrol actuator that independent of the normal mode or the massage modeallows a user to vary an outlet fluid pressure.
 16. The oral irrigatorof claim 14, wherein the pressure control actuator mechanically adjustsone or more characteristics of a fluid flow path between the reservoirand the tip to vary the outlet fluid pressure.
 17. An oral irrigationdevice comprising: a fluid reservoir; a reciprocating pump in fluidcommunication with the fluid reservoir; a tip in fluid communicationwith the pump; a motor operably connected to the pump, wherein the motordrives the pump to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir to the tip; amechanically adjustable valve that varies one or more fluid pathcharacteristics of a flow path between the reservoir and the tip tochange an outlet fluid pressure of fluid exiting the tip; and aprocessing element in electrical communication with the motor, whereinthe processing element varies performs the following operations:responsive to receiving a first user input, the processing elementvaries a voltage applied to the motor to vary a fluid output pressure ofthe fluid exiting the tip; and responsive to receiving a second userinput, the processing element varies a frequency applied to the motor tovary a fluid pulse rate of the fluid exiting the tip.
 18. The oralirrigation device of claim 17, wherein the motor comprises a drive shaftcoupled to a gear shaft and a drive gear; and the pump comprises apiston coupled to the drive gear.